Measuring non-monetary contributions in non-monetary terms involves using qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the impact, value, or significance of a contribution without converting it to a dollar amount. Below are different approaches:

Assign points to contributions based on effort, skill, or importance.

• Effort-Based Points:
  1. Allocate points for time spent (e.g., 1 point per hour).
  2. Assign higher points for high-value tasks (e.g., 2 points/hour for coding, 1 point/hour for admin work).

• Impact-Based Points:
  1. Set thresholds for specific milestones or achievements.
  2. Example: Completing a prototype = 50 points, securing a partnership = 100 points.

• Role-Based Points:
  1. Assign different weights to roles based on their criticality (e.g., CTO gets more points per contribution than a general manager).

Use “slices” to represent contributions dynamically, similar to the Slicing Pie Model:

1. Each contribution (time, effort, or IP) earns slices of equity.
2. The total slices of all contributors determine ownership percentages:
   1. Example: If you contribute 100 slices and the team total is 1,000 slices, your ownership is 10%.

Rank contributions relative to one another and assign weights based on importance:

1. High Priority: Critical tasks (e.g., product development) get higher weights (e.g., 3x).
2. Medium Priority: Supporting tasks (e.g., operations) get moderate weights (e.g., 2x).
3. Low Priority: Non-urgent tasks get lower weights (e.g., 1x).

Example Calculation:

• Founder A: Writes code (100 hours × 3x) = 300 weight units.
• Founder B: Handles accounting (50 hours × 2x) = 100 weight units.
• Total Units = 400 → Founder A = 75%, Founder B = 25%.

Rate contributions based on outcomes rather than effort:

1. Define metrics for impact (e.g., client satisfaction, product success, market reach).
2. Use a scoring system:
   1. High impact: 10 points
   2. Moderate impact: 5 points
   3. Low impact: 1 point

Example:

• Marketing campaign leading to 1,000 sign-ups = 10 points.
• Social media post engagement = 3 points.

Reward stakeholders for reaching specific milestones:

1. Product Milestones: Developing an MVP, launching a beta version.
2. Operational Milestones: Hiring key employees, setting up processes.
3. Market Milestones: Reaching sales targets, securing partnerships.

Ownership adjusts based on milestone achievements, with each milestone carrying specific “ownership credits.”

Track contributions tied to personal influence, visibility, or network impact:

1. Measure growth metrics such as social media followers, press mentions, or event attendance driven by a person.
2. Assign ownership “credits” for such contributions (e.g., each 1,000 followers = 5 ownership credits).

Allow the team to subjectively vote on contributions based on perceived value:

1. Periodically rank contributions in terms of significance (e.g., voting on top three most valuable tasks or outcomes).
2. Translate rankings into ownership shares (e.g., first place = 50%, second = 30%, third = 20%).

Define specific, measurable KPIs for contributions:

• Technical KPIs: Number of features developed, bugs fixed, or designs completed.
• Business KPIs: Leads generated, partnerships secured, or contracts negotiated.
• Operational KPIs: Processes improved, training completed, or team performance enhanced.

Ownership adjusts as contributors meet or exceed their KPIs.

Measure contributions by time spent relative to total effort:

1. Example: If Founder A works 30 hours/week and Founder B works 20 hours/week, their ownership percentages could be:
   1. Founder A: 30 ÷ (30 + 20) = 60%
   2. Founder B: 20 ÷ (30 + 20) = 40%

Incorporate peer assessments to evaluate non-monetary contributions:

1. Team members score each other based on factors like:
   1. Quality of work.
   2. Level of innovation.
   3. Impact on team success.
2. Scores are averaged and converted into equity shares.

Let’s say a startup has three founders with the following contributions:

• Founder A: Developed the product prototype (200 points).
• Founder B: Secured a key investor (150 points).
• Founder C: Created the brand and marketing strategy (100 points).

Total Points = 450

1. Founder A: 200 ÷ 450 = 44.4%
2. Founder B: 150 ÷ 450 = 33.3%
3. Founder C: 100 ÷ 450 = 22.2%

This system ensures non-monetary contributions are valued based on tangible effort and impact, without requiring conversion to monetary terms.